Black Swan Green sits in an interesting place between youth and social commentary. As we follow Jason’s development and coming of age we grow alongside him and his developing world view. Through his family we can see a juxtaposition of political alignments and we watch as Jason begins to develop his own personal understanding. Alongside their strengthening relationship, Julia’s more liberal ideas begin to make sense to Jason. In some ways she radicalizes him. Or more accurately she teaches him media literacy, which is a very important plot point to look at when discussing how Black Swan Green
both mirrors and contrasts our current situation in terms of war and its portrayal in the media, but I digress.
Since we only see Black Swan Green and the events that take place there through Jason’s eyes we, as readers, have a very youthful understanding. This is at least until the rug gets taken out from under us. When the novel depicts Jason processing the Falklands War through his family situation and vice versa it is clear how young he is and how much perspective he lacks, but it is through this, maybe juvenile, view that Jason begins to understand the futility of conflict. While reading, I found myself realizing how simple some things truly are. When you are taken back to the mindset of a child (or young teen) you remember how greatly important and complex everything seemed. Looking back, many of these things seem so silly and small.
Through its imaginative main character and immersive storytelling, Black Swan Green puts its readers into the shoes of a child living in England. Due to its youthful lens we gain both a deeper understanding of familial, personal, and societal issues, while simultaneously finding a new appreciation for the simple truths of life.
Nice post! I also really enjoyed the fact that he was such a young narrator. I found it helpful because we sort of grow with him through these pivotal moments. I also think it's very interesting that these almost juvenile perspectives juxtapose complex parallels in his strange personal life.
ReplyDeleteHi Olly, great blog! I really liked how you talked about events in the story being depicted through the eyes and mind of a child and how that can change the way we process the event as well. It's always good to look at things through different perspectives and I think this blog shows that very well. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteHi Olly,
ReplyDeleteAs someone who lived in England for a long time, I can confirm that Jason is very British (although there was a surprising lack of football (oops—I mean soccer!). The horses existing, or at least being implied to exist by the Bridle path, and there being lots of things that are really old, is also pretty British, as well as the classism and the strong opinions on Margaret Thatcher and Austerity. Honestly, the book was surprising political in that aspect. I don't think I've read other British books like that (I mean, I've read books that tackle political issues, but not ones that subtly undermine the Tory/Conservative party in the way this one does).
Jason's child-to-in between mindset is really interesting to watch develop as you said, and it births wonderful concoctions such as the "Metro Gnome."
Throughout the book, he is worried about the way others perceive him, so he conforms to society. However, in the end, he strays away a bit from this. I actually thought he had a nice perspective on the Gypsie matter, which showed the conflict was not black and white (gypsies as the "bad guys").
ReplyDeleteI would say that Jason's "simple"--and, notably, childishly expressed--frustration at the very end of "Rocks" represents what you describe in this post very well. He is no longer on a "side" in the Falklands conflict, as he had been in his "war fanboy" phase earlier ("watching the war on TV," enthusiastically quoting the _Daily Mail_). And he does have increased media literacy, thanks again to Julia's influence. But in the passage where he erupts in italicized and profane frustration about the bloody world not understanding that it's bloody well more important to be kind to one another than to bloody WIN all the time etc., he's expressing profound frustration with the whole ballgame: the war in the Falklands, his parents fighting over every little thing. He doesn't want to be on a side, whether it's the winner or loser. He is looking on critically from the outside, pointing out how infuriatingly stupid it all is. I find it hard to disagree with him.
ReplyDeleteNice blog! As a younger sibling I hate to admit it, but Julia's influence on Jason is apparent and very beneficial to him. The beginning of her effects can be seen in the chapter "Rocks." As you aptly put, Jason begins to develop a more mature view of the war as a result of his newly gained media literacy. In totality, with Julia's introduction of pyrrhic victories, Jason begins to loathe the war instead of picking a side. These view similarly shape how he sees his parents.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Olly! I appreciate your focusing on Jason's youthfulness, because it's easy to forget between his surprisingly insightful commentary on society that he's really just a 13-year-old boy with much to learn. That youthfulness and naivete is especially evident in his unwavering faith in the British army and his complete trust of the British government. He certainly has some wise moments, but just like any kid he also has moments where he needs to be put on the right path.
ReplyDeleteHey Olly, great job! I really liked your posts' ideas of Jason's struggles being much smaller than he makes it out to be. I think it makes a lot of sense as to how things can feel so much bigger than they are, especially at a younger age. It's part of the reason why I think this is a really good book, because it's so relatable and gives you a lot of perspective. Amazing post :)
ReplyDeleteHey Olly, I think you made a great analysis on how the book depicts these conflicts that Jason faces as being really big through is perspective, but if you were to look at it through your own separate view, you see that they weren't as big, just to highlight the difference at how children can view things through a much bigger lens such as when Jason was introduced to the Pyrrhic victory from his sister Julia, which at first glance may sound like something big but has a pretty basic meaning. Great Job!
ReplyDeletehello Olly! Yes. I agree so hard that this story does a wonderful job at really making you see through the lense of a young boy. I think that that perspective is certainly unique when it comes to processing all these real world issues, that in many ways reflect even our current events. Its also fascinating to watch Jason's growth in drafting his views and beliefs, its incredibly immersive and effective.
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